IPL Adds Benefit To Nonablative Fractional Laser Treatments

Combining Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and nonablative fractional laser treatments may improve results for facial rejuvenation, particularly in patients with pigmentation concerns. At Laser 2012: the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, C. Stanley Chan, MD, presented the results of a study performed by Skincare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Dr. Chan and his colleagues split 36 subjects into two groups. One group received treatment with the Lux1540 nonablative fractional device and the MaxG Optimized Light Handpiece (both from Palomar Medical, www.palomarmedical.com). The second group received treatment with the Lux1540 and its new XD Optic handpiece, which compresses the skin for deeper penetration of energy. Dr. Chang reported that adding IPL did not increase side effects of the fractional treatment, and the patients in group one experienced more improvement in pigmentation when compared with group two. Conversely, group two had a slightly greater improvement in wrinkles than group one. According to the researchers, the order in which the IPL and fractional treatments are delivered is not relevant in terms of results, though patients did prefer undergoing the IPL treatment first.